Read Online Reckoning by Heather Atkinson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Heather Atkinson
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worrying stories. I hear some wee shites are running rings around you and you’re doing nothing about it.”
“That’s not true Toni,” said Mikey.
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“No, what I mean is we are doing something. Dane Black, an associate of ours, was hit but he took care of the rag-tag crew who did it and put them all in hospital.”
Toni’s smile was cold. “Maybe you didn’t hear me properly? I couldn’t care less what your associates are doing. I want to know what you’re doing about it,” she said, pointing from Mikey to Jez.
“We have been hit a couple of times but it’s just petty stuff and we’re looking for who did it.”
“Looking? You mean you haven’t found them yet?”
“We will.”
Toni released a bark of husky laughter. “This is what happens when children play at being grown-up. When my family made this deal with yours Danny and Rachel were in charge, who would never have allowed things to get this far. They would have had the culprits strung up from the nearest lamppost by their balls. If our business arrangement didn’t run so smoothly I’d end our partnership this second.”
“There’s no need for that Toni,” said Mikey. “We’ve got everything under control.”
“I’m not so sure.” She glared at Mikey before looking to Jules. “You look like a grown-up. How old are you?”
“Thirty six,” she replied.
“You seem like a smart woman. Tell me, what’s going on?”
Jules glanced at Mikey, who nodded resignedly. “Jared Slattery from Essex has been stirring shit up,” she said. “He’s got Bobby Nilsen and the Starklaws, who are some local fucking ponces, to have a go at our businesses. With Slattery’s back-up they think they’re invincible but they’re nothing, annoying fucking flies buzzing around our heads. We’ll pull their wings off and step on them.”
“I like your style Jules. Maybe you should be running things instead?
“Mikey and Jez are doing an excellent job,” continued Jules. “They rule this city and they do it very well. Yes, they’re young but what they’ve achieved at their age is remarkable and everyone respects them for it. You’ve got the best business partners already. If I were you I wouldn’t go trying to change that.”
This time Toni’s smile was genuine. “Congratulations Boys, your cousin’s persuaded me to give you a second chance. Such loyalty shows inspired leadership and the fact that you’ve managed to tame the notorious Venom is a feat in itself.”
“I’ve not been completely tamed,” said Jules with a flirty smile.
“Don’t bother sweetheart,” she replied. “I like my women a lot classier than you.”
Jules’s eyes flashed but she managed to keep her mouth shut.
“You all need to understand that I’m not my brother,” said Toni. “He loved a good war and he’d have been down here like a shot with his hatchet at the ready, probably with Jared Slattery’s name carved on it. But I like the quiet life, I like to be wrapped in a gossamer blanket of champagne and chocolate, being regularly serviced by leggy beauties and Caesar, when the mood takes me, adding to my collection of eyes, all the while watching the money rolling in. What I don’t like is having to come to England because some clatty, shitey wee neds have made a pact with an Essex wide boy. Get it sorted. If you don’t, consider our partnership terminated.” They all tensed when she reached into her handbag. When she pulled out an emerald green glasses case they only grew tenser. “This is waiting for those lovely green eyes of yours Mikey.” She looked to Jez. “Don’t worry, I’ve got one for you too. It’s such a shame Ryan and Rachel aren’t in the business anymore because I’m sure they wouldn’t have taken this shit but I’m not going to try to convince them to come back, I’m certain that’s what got my brother killed.” She held her hand out to Caesar. “I’m ready to leave now.”
He took her
“That’s not true Toni,” said Mikey.
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“No, what I mean is we are doing something. Dane Black, an associate of ours, was hit but he took care of the rag-tag crew who did it and put them all in hospital.”
Toni’s smile was cold. “Maybe you didn’t hear me properly? I couldn’t care less what your associates are doing. I want to know what you’re doing about it,” she said, pointing from Mikey to Jez.
“We have been hit a couple of times but it’s just petty stuff and we’re looking for who did it.”
“Looking? You mean you haven’t found them yet?”
“We will.”
Toni released a bark of husky laughter. “This is what happens when children play at being grown-up. When my family made this deal with yours Danny and Rachel were in charge, who would never have allowed things to get this far. They would have had the culprits strung up from the nearest lamppost by their balls. If our business arrangement didn’t run so smoothly I’d end our partnership this second.”
“There’s no need for that Toni,” said Mikey. “We’ve got everything under control.”
“I’m not so sure.” She glared at Mikey before looking to Jules. “You look like a grown-up. How old are you?”
“Thirty six,” she replied.
“You seem like a smart woman. Tell me, what’s going on?”
Jules glanced at Mikey, who nodded resignedly. “Jared Slattery from Essex has been stirring shit up,” she said. “He’s got Bobby Nilsen and the Starklaws, who are some local fucking ponces, to have a go at our businesses. With Slattery’s back-up they think they’re invincible but they’re nothing, annoying fucking flies buzzing around our heads. We’ll pull their wings off and step on them.”
“I like your style Jules. Maybe you should be running things instead?
“Mikey and Jez are doing an excellent job,” continued Jules. “They rule this city and they do it very well. Yes, they’re young but what they’ve achieved at their age is remarkable and everyone respects them for it. You’ve got the best business partners already. If I were you I wouldn’t go trying to change that.”
This time Toni’s smile was genuine. “Congratulations Boys, your cousin’s persuaded me to give you a second chance. Such loyalty shows inspired leadership and the fact that you’ve managed to tame the notorious Venom is a feat in itself.”
“I’ve not been completely tamed,” said Jules with a flirty smile.
“Don’t bother sweetheart,” she replied. “I like my women a lot classier than you.”
Jules’s eyes flashed but she managed to keep her mouth shut.
“You all need to understand that I’m not my brother,” said Toni. “He loved a good war and he’d have been down here like a shot with his hatchet at the ready, probably with Jared Slattery’s name carved on it. But I like the quiet life, I like to be wrapped in a gossamer blanket of champagne and chocolate, being regularly serviced by leggy beauties and Caesar, when the mood takes me, adding to my collection of eyes, all the while watching the money rolling in. What I don’t like is having to come to England because some clatty, shitey wee neds have made a pact with an Essex wide boy. Get it sorted. If you don’t, consider our partnership terminated.” They all tensed when she reached into her handbag. When she pulled out an emerald green glasses case they only grew tenser. “This is waiting for those lovely green eyes of yours Mikey.” She looked to Jez. “Don’t worry, I’ve got one for you too. It’s such a shame Ryan and Rachel aren’t in the business anymore because I’m sure they wouldn’t have taken this shit but I’m not going to try to convince them to come back, I’m certain that’s what got my brother killed.” She held her hand out to Caesar. “I’m ready to leave now.”
He took her
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